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Source: Derrek Lee to Braves?Email Print Comments279 By Bruce Levine
ESPNChicago.com
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The Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves are working on a deal to send first baseman Derrek Lee to Atlanta for prospects, according to a league source.
The teams are "way along in the process" and the deal could be completed within a day, a source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. The issue remaining between the teams, according to the source, is more about what the Cubs are willing to accept in return and less about Lee's willingness to accept the trade. He is in the final year of a five-year, $65 million deal with the Cubs.
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Lee, who is presently dealing with a bulging disk on his lower left side, received an epidural Monday to relieve the pain and will not be ready to play again until Thursday.
According to a Cubs official, Lee refused to speak to the media before Wednesday's afternoon game against the Padres.
Braves top scout Jim Fregosi watched Lee hit four home runs during a series in St. Louis last weekend. Fregosi reported back to general manager Frank Wren that Lee was swinging the bat as well as he has all season, according to a source.
Atlanta lost All-Star third baseman Chipper Jones for the season with a torn ACL on Aug. 10. First baseman Troy Glaus, a former third baseman, could be moved back to third if Lee is acquired.
The players being discussed in exchange for Lee are currently in the lower-level minors, the source told Crasnick.
Lee has not had his best season; his .251 batting average entering Wednesday's game is well below his .282 career average and the .306 he hit last season. But the Braves regard Lee as a strong finisher who could make a difference down the stretch, the source told Crasnick.
Because he's been in the majors 10 years, including five with the same team, Lee can refuse any trade. He recently rejected a deal to the Los Angeles Angels. According to sources close to Lee, he's more amenable to moving to the Braves.
Staying in the National League with a chance to go to the playoffs, rather than going to a team that was six games out of first place at the time of the trade request, may make more sense to the 35-year-old veteran.
The Cubs still owe Lee $3.4 million this season, and could be looking for relief of at least one-half to three-quarters of that amount.
The Chicago Tribune first reported the trade was close to being finalized.
ESPNChicago.com
Archive
The Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves are working on a deal to send first baseman Derrek Lee to Atlanta for prospects, according to a league source.
The teams are "way along in the process" and the deal could be completed within a day, a source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. The issue remaining between the teams, according to the source, is more about what the Cubs are willing to accept in return and less about Lee's willingness to accept the trade. He is in the final year of a five-year, $65 million deal with the Cubs.
ESPNChicago.com Cubs blog
The latest news and notes on the Cubs. Blog
Lee, who is presently dealing with a bulging disk on his lower left side, received an epidural Monday to relieve the pain and will not be ready to play again until Thursday.
According to a Cubs official, Lee refused to speak to the media before Wednesday's afternoon game against the Padres.
Braves top scout Jim Fregosi watched Lee hit four home runs during a series in St. Louis last weekend. Fregosi reported back to general manager Frank Wren that Lee was swinging the bat as well as he has all season, according to a source.
Atlanta lost All-Star third baseman Chipper Jones for the season with a torn ACL on Aug. 10. First baseman Troy Glaus, a former third baseman, could be moved back to third if Lee is acquired.
The players being discussed in exchange for Lee are currently in the lower-level minors, the source told Crasnick.
Lee has not had his best season; his .251 batting average entering Wednesday's game is well below his .282 career average and the .306 he hit last season. But the Braves regard Lee as a strong finisher who could make a difference down the stretch, the source told Crasnick.
Because he's been in the majors 10 years, including five with the same team, Lee can refuse any trade. He recently rejected a deal to the Los Angeles Angels. According to sources close to Lee, he's more amenable to moving to the Braves.
Staying in the National League with a chance to go to the playoffs, rather than going to a team that was six games out of first place at the time of the trade request, may make more sense to the 35-year-old veteran.
The Cubs still owe Lee $3.4 million this season, and could be looking for relief of at least one-half to three-quarters of that amount.
The Chicago Tribune first reported the trade was close to being finalized.
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